Press-Forming Device, Press-Forming Method, Computer Program/Software Arrangement and Storage Medium

ABSTRACT

Exemplary embodiments of a press-forming device are provided. The exemplary press-forming device can include a material characteristic input configured to input the material characteristics out of sheet thickness, yield strength, 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength, elongation, n value, r value, stress-strain relation equation, hardness, temperature, surface roughness, friction coefficient and/or lubricant film thickness of the material. A state variable detector can also be provided for measuring at least one state variable out of punch reaction, metal mold temperature, metal mold distortion amount, work piece deformation amount, and work piece temperature during forming. A processing condition computing arrangement may be Provided which can be programmed to determine at least one processing condition out of forming speed, blank holding force, or metal mold temperature from the material characteristic inputted by the material characteristic inputting arrangement and the state variable during the forming measured by the state variable detector. In addition, a processing condition controller may be provided which is configured to control the punch or die movement speed, temperature and/or blank holding force according to the processing condition determined by the processing condition computing arrangement. In addition, press-forming method and computer program/software arrangement may be provided which can configure the device to perform the functions described above, and storage medium may be provided which can store thereon such computer program/software arrangement.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a national stage application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2004/016651 which was filed on Nov. 10, 2004 and published on May 19, 2005 as International Publication No. WO 2005/044481 (the “International Application”), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application claims priority from the International Application pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §365. The present application also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-381285, filed Nov. 11, 2003, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-264022 filed Sep. 10, 2004, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a press-forming device, a press-forming method, a computer program and a storage medium, e.g., to be used for processing irrespective of characteristic deviation of various metal materials such as iron series, nonferrous series, stacked materials and the like, or environmental fluctuations during processing.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Conventionally, when performing deep-drawing, bending, cutting, or the like to a metal material, using a press-forming device, it is usual to carry out actual production after determining appropriate forming conditions, namely, processing conditions such as the shape of metal molds, lubricating conditions, forming speed, blank holding force, the temperature of metal molds and work, etc. for every metal material in advance by trial production through experience, or through experiment, or by simulation or the like using a finite-element method.

Various metal materials being a raw material can be plates, pipes, bars, wires, powder or grains, and the like obtained through multiple processes of melting-smelting-casting-rolling-heat treatment-secondary processing and so on from raw material or scraps, and there inevitably exists some extent of deviation in mechanical properties in a product due to fluctuation of chemical components, or fluctuation of processing conditions such as uneven temperatures.

Accordingly, even when appropriate forming conditions are determined in advance as described above, occurrence of forming defect may arise due to differences in formability according to material positions or production lot numbers. In order to avoid this defect, an execution of quality control during material production process is performed more severely. However, such severity may lead to a material cost increase, and may not be recommendable.

Moreover, even when the mechanical characteristics of the raw material are identical, occurrence of forming defect may arise due to environmental fluctuation during processing such as temperature change of metal mold caused by continuous operation, abrasion of metal mold, fluctuation of atmospheric temperature or humidity.

As a countermeasure against these disadvantages, various inventions for a press-forming method to control processing conditions according to metal material or conditions of a metal mold have been disclosed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei 7-266100 describes is a device to control air pressure in an air cylinder to carry out press-forming under an appropriate blank holding force. This is described as being performed by determining in advance a relation between a physical quantity such as a shape of press material and its mechanical property, chemical property, a laminate layer property of plating or the like, and surface conditions such as oil quantity or the like; and an appropriate blank holding force from which prescribed press quality is obtained; and by determining the appropriate blank holding force according to actual physical quantity from the above-described relation.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. Hei 5-285700 and Hei 6-246499 describe a device which adjusts press conditions based on machine information and metal mold information peculiar to a press machine. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. Hei 7-265957, Hei 10-128451 and Hei 8-300048 describe various methods to adjust to prescribed bending angles in a bending process using a press brake.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. Hei 7-266100, Hei 5-285700 and Hei 6-246499 provide descriptions which are generally aimed at controlling blank holding force based on material characteristics, information peculiar to a machine, and metal mold information. However, since lubrication characteristics, especially with metal molds, may vary from one moment to the next by the synergistic effect of the fluctuation of material characteristics and the fluctuation of machine and mold conditions, it may be difficult to estimate the force in advance. 100101 The description of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. Hei 7-265957, Hei 10-128451 and Hei 8-300048 are generally aimed at adjusting the processing conditions according to the state of deformation during processing of the work in a bending process, but it is difficult to measure complicated three-dimensional shape on the spot in drawing or cutting. Further, since material is cramped with a metal mold during drawing or cutting, problems may exist in measuring the material shape precisely.

One of the objects of the present invention is to overcome and/or address the above-described problems, and to provide a way to perform satisfactory press-forming while compensating deviation of various material characteristics and environmental fluctuation during processing.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of press-forming device and method according to the present invention can be provided to obtain a satisfactory press molding product. For example, this can be done by grasping and computation controlling a plurality of arrangements out of a material characteristic input arrangement, a material characteristic measurement arrangement, or a state variable detector for the fluctuation of material characteristics or lubrication characteristics between a metal mold and a work (which have been previously difficult to estimate).

According to one exemplary embodiment of the press-forming device of the present invention, the press-forming device may have a punch, die and blank holder. A material can be press-formed according to a predetermined forming condition. For example, the press-forming device can include a plurality of arrangements, a material characteristic input arrangement capable of inputting at least one material characteristic out of material characteristics of sheet thickness, yield strength, 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength, elongation, n value, r value, stress-strain relation equation, hardness, temperature, surface roughness, friction coefficient, or lubricant film thickness, of the material. In addition, a material characteristic measurement arrangement can be provided for measuring at least one material characteristic out of material characteristics of sheet thickness, yield strength, 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength, elongation, n value, r value, stress-strain relation equation, hardness, temperature, surface roughness, friction coefficient, and lubricant film thickness, of the material before forming. Alternatively or in addition, a state variable detector may be provided for measuring at least one state variable out of the state variables of punch reaction, metal mold temperature, metal mold distortion amount, work piece deformation amount, or work piece temperature during forming the material.

In addition, a processing condition computer may be provided which is configured to determine at least one processing condition out of the processing conditions for forming speed, blank holding force or metal mold temperature from at least two or more pieces of information out of material characteristics inputted by the material characteristic input arrangement, material characteristics measured by a material characteristic measurement means or a material state variable during forming measured by the state variable detector. In addition, a processing condition controller may be provided which is configured to control at least one processing condition out of the process conditions including punch or die movement speed, metal mold temperature or blank holding force based on the processing condition determined by the processing condition computer.

According to one exemplary variant of the present invention, the material characteristic input arrangement can include one or more of a manual input device, a bar code reader, an IC tag reader, a flexible disc and/or a photo-magnetic disc reader.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a press-forming method can be provided which can use a press-forming device having a punch, die and blank holder, and press-forming a material according to a prescribed forming condition. For example, at least one material characteristic out of the material characteristics of sheet thickness, yield strength, 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength, elongation, n value, r value, stress-strain relation equation, hardness, temperature, surface roughness, friction coefficient, or lubricant film thickness of the material can be inputted. At least one material characteristic out of the material characteristics of sheet thickness can be measured before forming, yield strength, 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength, elongation, n value, r value, stress-strain relation equation, hardness, temperature, surface roughness, friction coefficient, or lubricant film thickness of the material before forming. At least one state variable out of the state variables can be formed of the punch reaction, metal mold temperature, metal mold distortion amount, work piece deformation amount, or work piece temperature, during forming the material.

In addition or alternatively, at least one processing condition out of the processing conditions can be determined for forming speed, blank holding force or metal mold temperature from at least two or more pieces of information out of material characteristics inputted, material characteristics measured by a material characteristic measurement step or a material state variable when the state variable is formed. At least one control condition out of the processing conditions including punch or die movement speed, metal mold temperature or blank holding force can be controlled based on the processing condition.

According to another variant of the present invention, the punch reaction maximum value can be obtained during forming into the computer for every prescribed number of times in the processing condition control process. This can be done to determine the moving average value of the punch reaction maximum value. For example, when the calculated punch reaction maximum value deviates from the prescribed value, the blank holding force can be changed.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, another press-forming method can be provided that may use a press-forming device having a punch, die and blank holder, and press-forming a material according to a prescribed forming condition. For example, at least one or more state variables out of the state variables may be measured for obtaining punch reaction, metal mold temperature, metal mold distortion amount, work piece deformation amount or work piece temperature, for every forming of material. At least one processing condition out of one kind or two or more kinds of processing conditions may be determined for forming speed, blank holding force, or metal mold temperature according to comparison result with the past state variables. At least one or more processing conditions out of the processing conditions including a punch or die movement speed, metal mold temperature, or blank holding force can be controlled based on the processing conditions.

In one exemplary variant of the present invention, at least one material characteristic out of the material characteristics of sheet thickness, yield strength, 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength, elongation, n value, r value, stress-strain relation equation, hardness, temperature, surface roughness, friction coefficient, or lubricant film thickness of the material may be provided. At least one processing condition out of the processing conditions can be determined for the forming speed, blank holding force, or metal mold temperature from material characteristics inputted in the material characteristic input process and a material state variable for every forming processing performed by the measurement of the state variable. The comparison result with the past state variables may be obtained as a result of comparing the difference between the past state variable and that of the present value, and the moving average value and the prescribed value within a prescribed time period or a prescribed number of times.

According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a computer program/software arrangement can be provided. For example, the computer program/software arrangement can be stored on a storage medium and/or may be accessed by a processing arrangement for performing a press-forming technique using a press-forming device having a punch, die and blank holder, and press-forming a material according to a predetermined forming condition. For example, the computer program/software arrangement can perform the procedures described above for the exemplary methods of the present invention when the computer program/software arrangement is executed by a processing arrangement. In a still further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium (e.g., a computer readable recording medium) can be provided which may provide or store thereon a computer program product/software arrangement described above.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figure showing illustrative embodiment(s), result(s) and/or feature(s) of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a structural and flow diagram of a press-forming device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a press-forming procedure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary table providing an influence function matrix relating to material characteristics and standard processing conditions according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary table providing an influence function matrix relating to state variables and corrected processing conditions according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary table providing reference values of material characteristics according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary table providing an example of standard processing conditions according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary table providing another example of an influence function matrix relating to material characteristics and standard processing conditions according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary table providing an example of reference values of state variables according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary table providing another example of an influence function matrix relating to state variables and corrected processing conditions according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of an IC tag provided for attaching to a cut plate package according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an elevation view of an IC tag provided for attaching to a material coil according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an elevation view of a bar code provided for attaching to a cut plate material according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a graph showing an exemplary relationship between punch reaction and blank holding force according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Exemplary Embodiment

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a press-forming device, a press-forming method, a computer program/software arrangement, and a storage medium according to the present invention will be explained referring to the drawings.

For example, FIG. 1 shows a structural and flow diagram of a press-forming device 5 of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This exemplary press-forming device 5 includes a punch 1, a die 2, a blank holder 3 and a metal mold device 6. One or more state variable sensors (load cell) 7 and a state variable sensor (a thermocouple) are also provided. The punch 1 may be associated with an air cylinder 10, and a hydraulic cylinder 11 and a heater 12 can be included in the press-forming device 5.

A material characteristic reader 15 can be provided which includes a material characteristic reader (IC tag reader) 9 and a material characteristic reader (controller) 14. The press-forming device 5 may further include denotes a hydraulic controller 13, a state variable detection device 16, and a blank holding force controller 17. A control computer arrangement 22 can be provided to cooperate with the press-forming device 5. The computer arrangement 22 may include a standard material characteristic storage device 18, a reference state variable storage device 19, a standard processing condition storage device 20, and an arithmetic arrangement 21. The control computer arrangement 22 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present embodiment can include a computer system with, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM), along with a processing condition controller, a material characteristic input arrangement (e.g., hardware or program/software arrangement), a state variable detector (e.g., hardware or program/software arrangement), a processing condition computer arrangement (e.g., hardware or program/software arrangement), a material characteristic measurement arrangement (e.g., hardware or program/software arrangement), etc. For example, these exemplary hardware or program/software arrangements may be accessed by the control computer arrangement 22 or another computing arrangement to program such arrangements to execute specific procedures effectuated by these or program/software arrangements.

A procedure of a press-forming method according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to FIG. 2. Information regarding the metal material is read or obtained by the above-described material characteristic reader 15 from an IC tag 101, 111 (show in FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively) or a bar code 121 (shown in FIG. 12) pasted on the surface of the metal material at a stage of being set to the press-forming device 5. The material characteristic information thus read or obtained is provided by the material characteristic input arrangement (step S201). For example, the material characteristic may be one type or a combination of two or more types of the following exemplary characteristics: sheet thickness, yield strength, 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength, elongation, n value, r value, coefficient of stress-strain relation equation, table showing each point value approximated to the stress-strain relation with a line graph, hardness, temperature, surface roughness, friction coefficient, and lubricant film thickness, etc. for every material.

As one exemplary way to input or provide material characteristics, the material characteristics can be directly read for every material from the bar code 121 or the IC tag 101, 111. When the amount of data is large, it is also possible to read an ID (identification) number from the bar code 121 or the IC tag 101, 111, and receive or obtain the real valued data corresponding to the identification number from, e.g., a server via a network and/or to this number input directly from a mill sheet, a flexible disc, etc. attached from a material manufacturer for every coil material into the material characteristic input device.

In general, when performing the exemplary press processing procedure, since the material is cut in an appropriate size from, for example, a coiled material before the material can be set in a press machine, and heat treatment or surface treatment is provided in certain exemplary cases, it may be difficult to obtain the above-described material characteristic in advance.

For this issue, it is possible to obtain further precise material characteristic information by directly measuring one kind or combination of two or more kinds among the above-described material characteristics, or preferably, from easiness of measurement, one type or a combination of two or more types out of sheet thickness, hardness, temperature, friction coefficient, and lubricant film thickness, before the material is set to the press-forming device 5 and/or at the time of setting.

Then, initialization values of processing condition can be corrected (steps S202, S203) based on the obtained material characteristic values and the reference material characteristic values to the material recorded or stored in the reference material characteristic storage device 18 (or another data recording device) in advance. The processing condition can be one type or a combination of two or more types of forming speed, blank holding force, and metal mold temperature.

An exemplary embodiment of a correction method of a processing condition according to the present invention is described below. For example, material characteristic values to the respective material characteristics can be taken respectively as P(j) (j=1−M, where M is the number of the material characteristic values), and the reference values for the respective material characteristics may be taken as P0 (j) (j=1−M). The initialization values to the above-described respective standard processing conditions can be taken respectively as C0(i) (i=1−L, where L is the number of processing condition set values). An influence function matrix which indicates the relation between the deviation of the material characteristic of a material from its reference value and the amount of correction of the processing condition may be taken as T1 (I, j), and the initialization value of the processing condition can be corrected with the following equation: C0(i) (after correction)=C0(i) (initialization value)*(1+Σ (T1(ij)*(P(j)/P0(j)−1))) (i=1−L, j=1−M)   (1)

The setting value C0(j) of the standard processing condition may be a fixed value during forming, and when it is changed during forming, for instance, a setting value to each punch stroke amount may be given. A formation example of the influence function matrix T1 is shown in an exemplary table of FIG. 3. When the sheet thickness is, for example, thicker than the reference value by 1%, the function of T1 can correspond to that the forming speed and blank holding force are increased by 0.2% and 0.4% respectively, and there may be no change for the metal mold temperature, using the equation (1).

Each component of the influence function matrix can be determined from the following exemplary methods: a method to determine from the change (sensibility analysis) of the optimum forming condition to the change of various material characteristics using a forming simulation by a finite element method; a method to statistically determine from a relation between material characteristic variation and processing condition, product quality (cracks, creases, spring back, surface distortion, and the like) in actual mass production press process; a method to input actual measurement value on product quality into the press-forming device as instruction data and prepare and update using, for instance, a learning function by a neural network; or the like. The formation of material characteristic value and processing condition or formulation method is not limited to the above described procedures and descriptions, and arbitrary setting is also adoptable.

Then, based on initial processing conditions, using the blank holding force controller, a forming speed controller, and a metal mold temperature controller, a load is applied on the blank holder, an upper metal mold may be descended and the forming procedure can be started (step S204). The controllers are not limited to those described above, other controlling arrangements, either single or a combination of multiple arrangement, in any arbitrary form may be used.

During the processing procedure, using the state variable detection device 16, at least one state variable out of punch reaction, metal mold temperature, metal mold distortion amount, work piece deformation amount, work piece temperature, etc. may be measured, and the processing condition can be corrected from one moment to another moment by the processing condition computer (see steps S205-S208).

In particular, the processing conditions can be corrected according to the following exemplary equation: C(i)=C0(i)*(1+Σ (T2(i,k)*(S(k)/S0(k)−1))), (i=1−L, k=1−N)   (2) where the state variable is S(k) (k=1−N; where N is the number of the state variable), the reference state variable stored in the reference state variable storage device is S0(k) (k=1−N), correction values for the respective processing conditions are C(i) (i=1−L), the influence function matrix indicating a relation between deviation of measured each state variable to its reference value and correction amount of the processing condition is T2(i, k) (i=1−L, k=1−N).

A formation example of the influence function matrix T2 is shown in an exemplary table of FIG. 4. When the punch reaction is, for example, higher than the reference value by about 1%, the function of the influence function matrix T2 corresponds to that, using the above-described equation (2), the forming speed and blank holding force may be decreased by about 1% and 0.5%, respectively, and there may be little or no change for the metal mold temperature. Each component of the influence function matrix T2 can be determined from a method to determine from the change (e.g., a sensibility analysis) of the optimum forming condition to the change of various material characteristics using a forming simulation by a finite element method, similarly to the above-described influence function matrix T1.

Further, it is possible to utilize an exemplary method to statistically determine from a relation between state variable variation and processing condition, product quality (crack, creases, spring back, surface distortion, and the like) in actual mass production press process, a method to input actual measurement value on product quality into the press-forming device as instruction data and prepare and update using, for example, a learning function by a neural network, or the like. The formation of the state variable or formulation method is not limited to the above described procedures/method, and arbitrary setting(s) may also be adopted.

An exemplary embodiment of a method to correct the forming conditions based on certain information that is based on the material characteristic inputted in advance, the material characteristic measured immediately before the press-forming, and the state variable during forming is described below. It may be preferable to correct the forming conditions based on not only one piece of information out of three pieces of the above-described information. Indeed, it may be preferable to make such correction based on two or more pieces of information to perform a reliable control.

It is difficult or even impossible to avoid an influence of disturbance which may be difficult to predict in advance, such as a lubrication condition during forming or the like with only one piece of information of material characteristic inputted in advance or material characteristic measured just before press-forming. Furthermore, it may be problematic that it is difficult or even impossible to separate influence due to material characteristic deviations with only the state variable during forming. This may be because the reduction effect of material characteristic deviations or product quality deviations caused by disturbance during forming may not be obtained satisfactorily.

Another Exemplary Embodiment

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the press-forming device 5 shown in FIG. 1 can be prepared and the press-forming procedure may be performed using a thin steel plate. As for the material characteristics, the sheet thickness and hardness may be measured for every blank, and typical mechanical properties attached by a material manufacturer for every coil are used for yield strength or 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength, and total elongation and inputted into a material characteristic input arrangement for every blank, respectively. As for the state variable provided during the forming, a punch reaction can be monitored using a load cell, the metal mold temperature can be monitored using a thermocouple and the forming speed, blank holding force are controlled based on the equations (1) and (2).

In the above-described exemplary procedure, a number of (e.g., 4) points of sheet thickness, yield strength, 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength, total elongation, and hardness can be used as the material characteristic value P(j) (j=1-5), two points of forming speed, and blank holding force may be used as the processing condition C(i) (i=1-2), and N points of punch reaction (N−1 point) for every punch stroke and metal mold temperature are used as the state variable S(k) (k=1−N).

As for a raw material utilized for the exemplary procedure, a “150 mm” blank stamped from the same cold rolling coil for deep drawing having an average thickness of 1.2 mm and a width of 1000 mm may be used to perform “50 mm” square cup drawing with a forming height of “40 mm”. Exemplary mechanical properties and reference values of the coil are provided in the table shown in FIG. 5.

Exemplary or standard processing conditions for the exemplary characteristics of this material are provided in the table shown in FIG. 6. Based on the actual measurement value for the sheet thickness and the typical mechanical properties of the coil inputted for every sheet of the blank, an initialization of the processing conditions can be performed using the influence function matrix T1 provided above in equation (1) and provided in the table shown in FIG. 7, and the forming procedure is initiated.

During the processing procedure, the forming procedure is performed without changing the initialization during a first exemplary procedure for the previously-described exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example, the forming conditions are set based on the material characteristics inputted in advance and the material characteristics measured before forming, and the forming is performed without using a state variable during forming, and the forming speed and blank holding force set to be about constant.

According to a second exemplary procedure of the present invention, the punch reaction and the metal mold temperature may be measured for about every 10 mm stroke until the maximum punch stroke (=forming height 40 mm). The punch reaction and the metal temperature may be obtained at the time of obtaining an acceptable product under approximately the same processing conditions by a trial pressing in advance as reference values of the state variable provided in the table shown in FIG. 8, using the influence function T2 provided in the table shown in FIG. 9, forming speed and blank holding force are adjusted with equation (2). Indeed, the press conditions can be controlled using the material characteristics inputted in advance, the material characteristics measured before the forming, and the state variable during the forming.

According to a third exemplary procedure of the present invention, a measured value of only sheet thickness and hardness for every one blank sheet can be used, without using material characteristics such as yield strength or 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength, and total elongation. In this manner, the punch reaction and the metal mold temperature can be measured using such measured value for approximately every 10 mm stroke until the maximum punch stroke (e.g., a forming height 40 mm) similarly to the manner in the second exemplary procedure, taking the punch reaction and the metal temperature at the time of obtaining an acceptable product under approximately the same processing conditions by a trial pressing in advance as reference values of the state variable provided in the table shown in FIG. 8, using the influence function T2 provided in the table shown in FIG. 9, forming speed and blank holding force are adjusted with equation (2). In particular, the press conditions can be controlled using the material characteristics measured before forming, and the state variable during forming.

According to a fourth exemplary procedure of the present invention, using the material characteristics inputted in advance, such as yield strength or 0.2% proof stress, tensile strength, and total elongation, similarly to the second exemplary procedure, the punch reaction and the metal mold temperature may be measured for every 10 mm stroke. Such measurement can be performed until the maximum punch stroke (for example, having a forming height of about 40 mm), taking the punch reaction and the metal temperature at the time of obtaining a good product under the same processing conditions by a trial pressing in advance as reference values of the state variable provided in the table shown in FIG. 8, using the influence function T2 provided in the table shown in FIG. 9, the forming speed and blank holding force are adjusted with the equation (2). In other words, the press conditions can be controlled using the material characteristics inputted in advance, and the state variable during the forming.

As a comparison example, using the forming speed and blank holding force without changing the processing conditions to the reference material characteristics, the forming procedure is performed without correcting the reference processing conditions during the forming.

For example, the above-described forming experiment can be carried out by punching total of about 1000 pieces of blanks from the same coil, the defective pieces due to the occurrence of cracks and creases can be compared as follows.

-   -   sheet thickness standard deviation: 5 um

percent detective: (First exemplary procedure of the present invention) 0.9% (Second exemplary procedure of the present invention) 0.1% (Third exemplary procedure of the present invention) 0.5% (Fourth exemplary procedure of the present invention) 0.5% (Comparative Example) 1.2%

The percentage of the defective pieces can be reduced by changing the initialization of the processing conditions according to the deviation of the sheet thickness, and the percent defective is further reduced by adjusting the processing condition according to punch reaction and metal mold temperature during the forming.

FIG. 10 shows an elevation view of an exemplary cut plate package 100 supplied from a coil processing center, to which the IC tag 101 is attached. Information such as “tensile strength”, “yield strength or 0.2% proof stress”, “total elongation”, “sheet thickness”, “production date” and the like can be stored in the IC tag 101. The information is read or obtained using the material characteristic reader (IC tag reader) 9, and may be transmitted to the computation device 21, thereby reducing or eliminating the labor that would otherwise be incurred if the data were inputted manually.

FIG. 11 shows an elevation view of an exemplary material coil 110 which includes attached thereto the IC tag 111. In this exemplary embodiment, information such as “tensile strength”, “yield strength or 0.2% proof stress”, “total elongation”, “sheet thickness”, “production date” and the like may be stored in the IC tag 111. Therefore, it may be possible to reduce the labor to manually input the material characteristics when the material coil 110 is pressed and the information obtained in an automated matter.

FIG. 12 shows an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a cut plate material 120 to which the bar code 121 is attached. Information showing a product lot number can be displayed on the bar code 121. By reading the information with a bar code reader in the material characteristics reader, information relating to the corresponding material can be obtained from, for example, a server computer on a network.

Further, another exemplary embodiment for performing the exemplary press-forming procedure is described below with reference to FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, a graph in which punch reactions and blank holding forces are expressed along the vertical axis, and the number of forming times are expressed along the horizontal axis. A black rhombus in FIG. 13 denotes a punch reaction during the time of forming.

In this exemplary embodiment, the punch reaction maximum value during the forming can be captured and stored in a storage arrangement that can be accessed by a computer for every time of the forming. Further, the moving average of the punch reaction maximum values can be determined, and an example of controlling to change the blank holding force when the punch reaction maximum value exceeds a prescribed value (in an example in FIG. 13, 500 ton±10 ton) may be shown.

As a result, as shown in the exemplary illustration of FIG. 13, since the 10 points moving average value exceeds a permissible range, the forming can be carried out under reduced blank holding force from, e.g., fiftieth times. As a result, the punch reaction maximum value can be maintained within the prescribed value, forming of predetermined number of sheets can be achieved without the occurrence of a defective piece.

In the above explanation, an example in which the punch reaction maximum value during processing is taken in a computer for every one time of forming is shown, and it may be taken in for every prescribed time. Furthermore, in the exemplary graph shown in FIG. 13, an example in which the blank holding force is reduced from the fiftieth times because the 10 point moving average exceeds a permissible range is shown. However, the blank holding force may be increased when the moving average value falls short of the permissible range.

In the above explanation, the blank holding force can be adjusted using the history of the punch reaction maximum values. However, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to such exemplary adjustments, and it is also possible to adjust other processing condition, for instance, the forming speed or the like using the history of other state variables for instance, the metal mold temperature, the metal mold distortion amount, etc.

Further Exemplary Embodiments

As described above, the control computer arrangement 22 can include a computer CPU or mathematic processing unit (MPU), RAM, ROM, and the like, and the exemplary embodiment of the press-forming method according to the present embodiment can be employed, e.g., by operating a computer program/software arrangement stored in the above-described RAM, ROM, or other storage arrangements.

Accordingly, the computer program/storage arrangement, when executed by the computer arrangement 22 or another processing arrangement, can cause the performance of the exemplary functions of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. To transmit the computer program/software arrangement, it is possible to use a communication medium (e.g., wire circuit such as optical fiber or wireless arrangement or the like) in a computer network system (e.g., local area network—LAN, wide area network—WAN—such as the Internet, wireless communication network or the like).

Further, the above-described computer program/software arrangement can be provided to a computer, for example, via a storage medium that is configured to store such computer program/software arrangement. Such storage medium can include a flexible disc, hard disc, optical disc, magneto-optic disc, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, etc.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to obtain certain processing conditions to avoid an influence due to unpredictable deviation factors such as variation in material characteristics, environmental change, lubricity between a metal mold and work, surface property, etc., and it is possible to obtain a favorable product.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements, computer programs, procedures and methods which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the invention and are thus within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, to the extent that the prior art knowledge has not been explicitly incorporated by reference herein above, it is explicitly being incorporated herein in its entirety. All publications referenced herein above are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A press-forming device for press-forming at least one portion of a material according to at least one predetermined condition, comprising: at least one arrangement of: a material characteristic input arrangement configured to provide at least first one characteristic from material characteristics comprising a thickness of the at least one portion of the material, a yield strength of the at least one portion of the material, about 0.2% proof stress, a tensile strength of the at least one portion of the material, an elongation of the at least one portion of the material, n value of the at least one portion of the material, r value of the at least one portion of the material, a stress-strain relation equation for the at least one portion of the material, a hardness of the at least one portion of the material, temperature, a surface roughness of the at least one portion of the material, a friction coefficient of the at least one portion of the material or a lubricant film thickness of the at least one portion of the material, or a material characteristic measurement arrangement configured to measure at least second characteristic of the material characteristics before the at least one portion of the material is form; a state variable detector configured to measure at least one of state variables comprising a punch reaction, a metal mold temperature, a metal mold distortion amount, a work piece deformation amount or a work piece temperature during the formation of the at least one portion of the material; a processing condition computer arrangement configured to determine at least one particular processing condition from at least one of a forming speed of the at least one portion of the material, a blank holding force or a metal mold temperature as a function of at least two of the at least one first characteristic, the at least one second characteristic or the at least one of the state variables; and a processing condition controller configured to control the at least one processing condition from processing conditions comprising at least one of a punch movement speed, a die movement speed, a metal mold temperature or a blank holding force based on the at least one processing condition.
 12. The press-forming device according to claim 11, wherein the material characteristic input arrangement comprises at least one a manual input device, a bar code reader, an IC tag reader, a flexible disc or a photomagnetic disc reader.
 13. A press-forming method for press-forming at least one section of a material according to at least one predetermined forming condition, comprising: at least one of: providing at least first one characteristic from material characteristics comprising a thickness of the at least one portion of the material, a yield strength of the at least one portion of the material, about 0.2% proof stress, a tensile strength of the at least one portion of the material, an elongation of the at least one portion of the material, n value of the at least one portion of the material, r value of the at least one portion of the material, a stress-strain relation equation for the at least one portion of the material, a hardness of the at least one portion of the material, temperature, a surface roughness of the at least one portion of the material, a friction coefficient of the at least one portion of the material or a lubricant film thickness of the at least one portion of the material, or measuring at least second characteristic of the material characteristics before the at least one portion of the material is form; measuring at least one of state variables comprising a punch reaction, a metal mold temperature, a metal mold distortion amount, a work piece deformation amount or a work piece temperature during the formation of the at least one portion of the material; determining at least one particular processing condition from at least one of a forming speed of the at least one portion of the material, a blank holding force or a metal mold temperature as a function of at least two of the at least one first characteristic, the at least one second characteristic or the at least one of the state variables; and controlling the at least one processing condition from processing conditions comprising at least one of a punch movement speed, a die movement speed, a metal mold temperature or a blank holding force based on the at least one processing condition.
 14. The press-forming method according to claim 13, wherein the at least first one characteristic is provided using at least one of a manual input procedure, a bar code read procedure, an IC tag read procedure, a flexible disc read procedure or a photomagnetic disc read procedure.
 15. A press-forming method for press-forming at least one section of a material according to at least one predetermined forming condition, comprising: measuring at least one variable from state variables which comprise a punch reaction, a metal mold temperature, a metal mold distortion amount, a work piece deformation amount or a work piece temperature for every formation of the at least one section of the material; comparing at least one variable with at least one previously-measured or previously-obtained one of the state variable to generate a comparison result; determining at least one processing condition from at least one type a forming speed, a blank holding force, or a metal mold temperature using the comparison result; and controlling at least one processing condition of processing conditions which comprise a punch movement speed, a die movement speed, a metal mold temperature or a blank holding force based on the at least one processing condition.
 16. The press-forming method according to claim 15, further comprising: providing at least one characteristic from material characteristics comprising a thickness of the at least one portion of the material, a yield strength of the at least one portion of the material, about 0.2% proof stress, a tensile strength of the at least one portion of the material, an elongation of the at least one portion of the material, n value of the at least one portion of the material, r value of the at least one portion of the material, a stress-strain relation equation for the at least one portion of the material, a hardness of the at least one portion of the material, temperature, a surface roughness of the at least one portion of the material, a friction coefficient of the at least one portion of the material or a lubricant film thickness of the at least one portion of the material, wherein the at least one processing condition is determined from the at least one characteristic and the at least one variable for every formation of the at least one portion measured for the at least one variable.
 17. The press-forming method according to claim 15, wherein the comparison result is obtained by comparing a difference between a past state variable and the at least one variable, a moving average value and a predetermined value within at least one of a predetermined time period or a predetermined number of repetitions.
 18. The press-forming method according to claim 16, wherein the comparison result is obtained by comparing a difference between a past state variable and the at least one variable, a moving average value and a predetermined value within at least one of a predetermined time period or a predetermined number of repetitions.
 19. A software arrangement which is capable configuring a processing arrangement to perform a press-forming procedure according to at least one predetermined forming condition, comprising: a first set of instruction which, when executed by a processing arrangement, causes at least one of: provide at least first one characteristic from material characteristics comprising a thickness of the at least one portion of the material, a yield strength of the at least one portion of the material, about 0.2% proof stress, a tensile strength of the at least one portion of the material, an elongation of the at least one portion of the material, n value of the at least one portion of the material, r value of the at least one portion of the material, a stress-strain relation equation for the at least one portion of the material, a hardness of the at least one portion of the material, temperature, a surface roughness of the at least one portion of the material, a friction coefficient of the at least one portion of the material or a lubricant film thickness of the at least one portion of the material, or measuring at least second characteristic of the material characteristics before the at least one portion of the material is form; a second set of instruction which, when executed by the processing arrangement, cause a measurement of at least one of state variables comprising a punch reaction, a metal mold temperature, a metal mold distortion amount, a work piece deformation amount or a work piece temperature during the formation of the at least one portion of the material; a third set of instruction which, when executed by the processing arrangement, cause a determination of at least one particular processing condition from at least one of a forming speed of the at least one portion of the material, a blank holding force or a metal mold temperature as a function of at least two of the at least one first characteristic, the at least one second characteristic or the at least one of the state variables; and a fourth set of instruction which, when executed by the processing arrangement, cause a control of the at least one processing condition from processing conditions comprising at least one of a punch movement speed, a die movement speed, a metal mold temperature or a blank holding force based on the at least one processing condition.
 20. A computer accessible recording medium on which a program or software is provided, the program or software being accessible by a processing arrangement to cause a performance of a press-forming procedure according to at least one predetermined forming condition, wherein the program or software comprising: a first set of instruction which, when executed by the processing arrangement, causes at least one of: provide at least first one characteristic from material characteristics comprising a thickness of the at least one portion of the material, a yield strength of the at least one portion of the material, about 0.2% proof stress, a tensile strength of the at least one portion of the material, an elongation of the at least one portion of the material, n value of the at least one portion of the material, r value of the at least one portion of the material, a stress-strain relation equation for the at least one portion of the material, a hardness of the at least one portion of the material, temperature, a surface roughness of the at least one portion of the material, a friction coefficient of the at least one portion of the material or a lubricant film thickness of the at least one portion of the material, or measuring at least second characteristic of the material characteristics before the at least one portion of the material is form; a second set of instruction which, when executed by the processing arrangement, cause a measurement of at least one of state variables comprising a punch reaction, a metal mold temperature, a metal mold distortion amount, a work piece deformation amount or a work piece temperature during the formation of the at least one portion of the material; a third set of instruction which, when executed by the processing arrangement, cause a determination of at least one particular processing condition from at least one of a forming speed of the at least one portion of the material, a blank holding force or a metal mold temperature as a function of at least two of the at least one first characteristic, the at least one second characteristic or the at least one of the state variables; and a fourth set of instruction which, when executed by the processing arrangement, cause a control of the at least one processing condition from processing conditions comprising at least one of a punch movement speed, a die movement speed, a metal mold temperature or a blank holding force based on the at least one processing condition. 